Chopsticks
By Amy Krouse Rosenthal
The Story
Two chopsticks, inseparable best friends, hit a fork in the road and must face something they've never done before: figuring out how to function apart.
Why It's Special
For the kid who can't imagine being apart from their best friend, even for a day, this one gets right to the heart of it.
- Big idea: Growing means learning to stand on your own without losing what makes a friendship unbreakable.
- Vibes: Playful, tender, and a little bittersweet, with wordplay woven right into the premise.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on separating from a best friend or sibling
- enjoy clever wordplay and visual puns
- respond well to stories that turn objects into characters
- like to talk through big feelings about change
Ask Your Little Reader
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the chopsticks felt when they realized they had to be apart?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever had to spend time away from your best friend? What was that like?
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think the chopsticks had to learn in order to function on their own?
- Imagination: If you were a chopstick without your other half, what would you try to do by yourself?
- Big ideas: Can two friends still be close even when they're doing different things apart from each other?
